Tag: reimbursement rate

To commemorate the start of the 2017-2018 regular session, our staff attended an annual breakfast in Raleigh on January 11. As hosts of the event, staff had a 30 minute private mingle with members. We were able to thank lawmakers for the nursing increase last year, and to discuss the less-than-adequate aide rate and the overly burdensome and varying administrative requirements of Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations. Further, Senator Shirley Randleman, a home care supporter, thanked us for keeping her in the loop on a constituent issue where a medically fragile child is in jeopardy of losing his private duty nursing. To which Randleman said, “For the insurance company to say this baby is stable and doesn’t need home health care is unbelievable.” She is willing to help in any way possible. Events like this allow us to continue to build relationship with lawmakers. Click here for photos. Special thanks to the following staff members who represented BAYADA:

Chad Shore

Dena Hinkle

Donna Heatherly

Elizabeth Goad

Trip Smithdeal

Photo: BAYADA advocates at the Women in Politics breakfast on January 11.

This year, will be the first year in many years that we will be working with lawmakers to garner support for a much needed Medicaid rate increase. We are partnering with other providers, as well as the South Carolina Association for Home & Hospice Care to ensure a unified voice. Lawmakers return to Columbia on January 10, where we will work with leadership in both chambers. Senator Hugh Leatherman, Sr. of Florence will remain the chair of Finance and Senator Harvey Peeler, Jr. of Cherokee will lead Medical Affairs. In the House, Representative Brian White will remain chair of Ways and Means.

Lawmakers return to Raleigh, NC for the start of the 2017-2019 legislative session on January 11. We expect to see a few changes in committee assignments and leadership, especially in House Appropriations for Health & Human Services (HHS), with the election defeat of Representative Marilyn Avila. However, we anticipate (and are thrilled) that Representative Nelson Dollar will remain Chair of HHS Appropriations and Representative Josh Dobson will assume the leadership position of vice-chair on that committee. Senators Ralph Hise and Louis Pate will remain Co-Chairs of Senate Appropriations for HHS. Our reimbursement priority is to increase the Medicaid aide rate from $13.88 to $17.00 over two years.

On January 10, there will be a lobby day at the State Capital Building in Boston. The goal of the lobby day is to have a unified group of clients, families, home care providers and all who want a better tomorrow for home care, to come together and unveil a new Patient Bill of Rights. Moving forward, this Bill of Rights will protect the rights of the children and adults who utilize Continuous Skilled Nursing Services within the home care setting including mandating a fair and more equal wage for the nurses who provide these services in the homes of our clients.